Dextrocardia - Symptom

Alternative Names

Detroversion; Dextrorotation

Symptoms:

There are no symptoms of dextrocardia if the heart is normal.

Conditions that may include dextrocardia may cause the following symptoms:

Bluish skin
Difficulty breathing
Failure to grow and gain weight
Fatigue
Jaundice (yellow skin and eyes)
Pale skin (pallor)
Repeated sinus or lung infections

Signs and tests:

There are no signs of dextrocardia if the heart is normal.

Conditions that can include dextrocardia may cause the following signs:

Abnormal arrangement and structure of the organs in the abdomen
Enlarged heart
Problems with the structure of the chest and lungs, seen on x-rays
Rapid breathing or problems breathing
Rapid pulse

Tests to diagnose dextrocardia include:

Computed tomography (CT) scans
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the heart
Ultrasound of the heart (echocardiogram)
X-rays

Dextrocardia

Reviewed last on: 4/30/2010
Kurt R. Schumacher, MD, Pediatric Cardiology, University of Michigan Congenital Heart Center, Ann Arbor, MI. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, Zitelli BJ, Davis HW. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2007:chap 431

Park MK. Park: Pediatric Cardiology for Practitioners, 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Mosby Elsevier; 2008:chap 16.

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